Grip mechanism



' 4Fam-:27, 1923.

T. M. COLLINS GRIP -MECHANISM Filed' Dec. 16, 1918 2 sheets-sheet l ,zwmfw 9 M @y Patented Feb. Z7, 1923;

omr- -a-1 s Trivrorrrr remnant'. COLLINS, or arriendo, rL'LINorsfn emr MECHAN'ISM.'

Application led December 16,".{9181'2 Serial-No. 2'6 5,996.`

To-'oZZ' whom t 'may concern.' v v Beit known that I, TIMOTHY MICHAEL COLLINS, a citizen ofthe'United Stateare;

sidin'g at Number 126 West RandolphStreet,

Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Grip Mechanism, of which the'following'is a specification. a

:My invention relates to improvements in `grip Imechanism. for use, generally stated,`

either as a means to revolvea body,pas in the case of a wrench for pipes, flanges, 1it tings and valves, or as a means toarrest l'rotation' of a body, for example, in'the case of a brake for wheels or other rotatable inembers in general. l

My object, generally stated, is to provide aV vvnovel f and simple construction of grip mechanism which shall operate positively and-'by which the maximumv grip maybe effected; and asto its use asa wrenchbef readily and quickly adjustable'to pipes, lit-5 tings, etc, of dierent sizes, andreadily disengage therefrom, when' desired.l

Referring to the accompanying drawings,; Figurel isa view 1n side elevation, partlyl sectional,v of a wrench embodying my improvements showingl the' wrench applied y to afpipe. Figure 2 isa-plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1. Figure 3 is a section' takenv at the irregularv linev 3-3 on'Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. Figure 4 is a perspective view of'an' adjustable block for engaging. the lieXible member ofthe wrench which is looped about'the article to be operated. Figure 5 is a view like Fig. 1 of a modification of the wrench shown therein.` Figure 6 is a section taken'- at the line 6-6 on Figsy and viewed inthe direction `of the arrows; and Figure 7, a section'taken at the line 7-7 on Fig. 5 and viewed in the direction Of the arrows. The Wrench shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4' is formed of a bar 8 having a ring-shaped extremity 9 presenting a circular aperture 10, and alienible member 11 shown in the form of a chain and connected at 'one end with the portion v9 of the bar, andat its opposite end adjust-V ably connected with the bar 8l at a different point. rlhe member 11 is formed at one end with a relatively wide link 124 whichstrad dles the portion 9 of the bar and carries a cross-pin 13 which extends through the aperture 10,A this part ofthe structure forming the connection 4of the member 11 withy the ring portion 9, which, aswill be noted, is ofi ashiftable character, for the: purpose hereinafter, explained. The loppositev end of the# member 11" passes slidingly through the" link 12 .and is `connected.with` the bars5'pref- 60 erably adjustably, as by' the jmeans shown' and comprising a wedge-shaped' block lepre sentlnuf an' incli-nedl face ,15, adjustably;y mountedvinlan opening@ 16 inthelbar8 and' presentinganinclined facel opposingthefacel 15 oftheblock 14. vThel end of 'theV member? 11=which is preferably serratedl along one face,` as Y indicated y'at 18," to' produce a rigid: grip on the -bodyfto*be^operatedl`,f

as, for example, thatrepre'sentedat19, eXQ- 579-'v f tends upwardly intorthe space'irbetween the' block 14 and'theadjacent lWalLof ithe'openh` ingA 16,"7 as shown, and is Yclamped' by the enY gagement fof teeth 420 on the blocki 14 withfthe `'opposing teethrl fon the niemberfll A" 75: vsprmg-pressed Ipin 21, provided' 'with aV n'-' ger-piece 22 and sliding' 1n anfopening-Q in the: barf8'.enters a; 'socket 24 nth'eblock 141' to hold thelatter'in vclamping position, as

shownI in 1, th`eblockj1ll containingy arr-' 80 y other socket 2501i its narrowerrend which* permitsthe blockto beheld to the vbar 8,:l butout -of.- a position'linv whichy it interferes with the adjustment of they memberllninl the. opening 16, if.. the pin` 21 is vviwithdrawn from the socket 24 and the block 14C` is4 so' adjusted that this pinenters .the-socket'Qf The/block- 14, by preference,ieontains grooves`v yv` 2G in its 'opposite sides. which; with ribs '27," on opposed fwallsi vof thewopening "16, form guides for the block 14 in the 'adjustment of the latter. A, y f

ln the use of the: wrencht the member '11." is looped vabout the object tojb'el operated;- with vthebar 8 in the' position shown inl Fig. 1, andthe end ofthe member 11 where .it clamps the block Mis adjusted,together with this block, to draw the member `11 taut 'about the object 19, as shown in F ig'.

1. The operator then'swings the' Vbar-85100 duced. It will be noted that by providing the shiftable pin 13 in connection with the member 11 and the ring 9, this end of the member automatically adjusts itself to different sized objects to which the wrench is applied, the slack in the member 11, when the handle-bar 8 is raised, being taken upy by this automatic adjustment of the parts, and, when the handle-bar 8 is reversely operated, the member 11 automatically returns to slaclr condition.

rll`he construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is the same as that `of the preceding figures, except that the adjustment, instead of being provided between the member 11 and the handle-bar 8 at the point of connection therewith in the rear of the pin 13,

is provided between the link carrying this.

pin and a portion of the flexible member 11. 1n this arrangement, the connection of the flexible member 11 with the handle-bar 8 in the rear of the pin 13 is through the medium of the pin 28, which by preference is non-adjustable and the link carrying the pin 13 and represented at 29 is provided with a hook-link 30 adapted to hook over any one of the joints of the iexible member 11. 1t will be readily understood that the actionof the wrench of Figures 5, 6 and 7 in operating on an object is the same asthat shown in the preceding figures. 1n this arrangement the inner surface of the flexible member 11, lwhere it engages the object 19, is shown unserrated, but it will bereadily understood that if desired serrations may be provided thereon to enhance the gripping effect, and also that they may be omitted from the construction of Fig.`

1, if desired.

. While l have shown my improvements as embodied in a wrench structure, it will be readily understood that the same prnrciple of operation may be employed in a brake, or in fact in any mechanical device to which my improvements may be appli-` cable, or, in other words, l intend to cover my invention broadly as a mechanical movement." Furthermore, the invention may be provided in forms of structure other than those shown, it being my intention to claim my invention as fully and completely as the prior state of the art will permit.

What l claim as ynew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Grip mechanism comprising` a bar, and a flexible member in the form of a loop with its ends extending in intersecting relation and operatively engaging said bar at different points, the part of said member at which the latter connects at one end with said bar being `automatically bodily shiftable relative to said bar in the act of shifting said bar relativeto the object to be gripped, after application of said flexible member to said object, said bar having a portion at which it engages said exible member between the points of connection of the latter with said bar and upon which it moves when said bar isv operated.

2. Grip mechanism comprising a bar containing an apertured extremity, and a flexible member with its ends extending in intersecting relation, provided at one end with a section which extends loosely into said aperture and forms a shifting connection between said member and bar, and operatively connected at Aits opposite end with said bar, said apertured` extremity, engaging with said iiexible member between the ends of the latter and upon which it moves when said bar is operated.

3. Grip mechanism comprising containing an apertured extremity, and a flexible member providedy at one end with a section which extends loosely into ysaid aperture and in the operation of the bar in the gripping of an object by the'exa bar ible member automatically moving along 1. Grip mechanism comprising abar cony taining an apertured extremity, the outersurface of which isrounded, and a exible member provided at one end witha section.

which extends loosely into said aperture and forms a shifting connection between said member and bar, and operatively connected at its opposite end with said bar, saidrounded surface engaging with said flexible vrnember between the ends of the latter.

5. Grip mechanism comprising a bar containing an apertured extremity, a Hexible member provided at one end with a section which extends loosely into said aperture and forms a shifting connection between said member and bar, and 'operatively connected at its opposite end with said bar to be adiml justablev thereon for adjusting said member to objects of different diaineters,'said apertured extremity engaging with said. flexible member between the ends of thelatter and upon which it moves when said bar is operated. l

6. Grip mechanism comprising a bar having its extremity rounded and containing an aperture, anda flexible member provided at one end with a section 'which extends loosely into said aperture and shiftable along the wall thereof, and is operatively connected at its opposite end with said bar to be -adjustable thereon lfor adapting said flexible member to objects of different diameter, said l to ' tion of said bar engaging said member be-v being lconnected with said bar' at a-point in the rear of said ring.. 4 l v 8. Grip mechanism ycomprising a bar vhaving a recessed extremity, the bottom of said recess being of substantially curved form, and a flexible member in the form of a loop with its ends` extending in intersecting relation, said member having a part at which it engages said bar at said recessed portion, andanother part engaging said bar at another point thereon, the part of said'member at which it engages the recessed portion of said bar being automatically' bodily shiftable. relative to said bar in the act of shifting said.

bar relative to the object to be gripped,after application of said flexible member to said object, the outer surface of said recessed portween its points of connection with said bar and moving along said member when said bar is actuated. g

9. Grip mechanism comprising a bar and having a ring-shaped extremity, a dexible member in the form of a loop with its ends extending in intersecting relation, one'end of said flexible member carrying a cross-piece which extends into said aperture and is movable along the wall thereof, and means ad justably securing the other end of said flexible member to said bars at a point in therear of said ring.

10. Grip mechanism comprising a bar and having a ring-shaped extremity, a fiexible member in the form of a loop with its ends yextending in intersecting" relation, one end of said flexible member carrying a crosspiece. which extends into said aperture and .is movable along the wall thereof, and means adjustably securing the other end or said flexible member to said bar at a point in the rear of said ring, comprising a block adjustable in an opening in vsaid bar and engaging said flexible member, and means for releasably holding said block in position.

11. Grip mechanism comprisi'nga bar and a flexible member in the form of a loop,

with its ends extending' in intersecting rela-4 12., Gap meaanismcqmprismgf ha and ja flexible Vmember thefjforrnr of'a loopywith y its ends extending inintersectingrelation and operatively A engaging said bar Lat different, points; ,an bai .in 'the aeration. of theLdevice'rolling against one, end yof ysaid memberl lengthwise of, and betweenfthe' 1ends a flexible member in the form of' a loop, with its ends extending lin intersecting relation and operatively engagingA said bar at dif-v ferent points, withv one of said points of engagement being pivotal and extending in front of thepoint at which the ends of said member intersect, aportion of said bar extending in front of said. point of intersec' tionopposing the outer surface of said mem-` ber and in the operation of the device rolling against a portion of said member in front of said ypoint of intersection',

for vthe purpose set forth.

14. Grip lmechanismcomprising abar, a

'flexible member in the form of' a loop with its ends extending in intersecting relation, and a pin connected with said member, lsaid member engaging at said pin and at thel other end of said member,- with said bar, the

connection of said'member with said bar at said pin being automatically bodily shiftable relative to said bar inthe act ofshifting the bar after the application of -said flexible member to its position of use, said bar having a portion at which it engages said ilexible member between the points of` connection of the latter with saidbar and 'upon which it moves when said baris operated.`

15. Grip mechanismcomprising a bar, and

iso

a flexible member in the form of a loop with Y v its ends extending in intersecting relation and operatively engaging `said bar at dif- .ferent points, theconnectionof said member at one end with saidbarbeing shiftable and arranged to automatically shift relative to said bar inthe act 'of shifting the latter after application of said memberv to itsposition of1 use, said rbar having a lportieri at` which it engagesjsaid flexible member between'the points of connection of the latter with said bar and uponv which it moves when saidfbar is operated.

16. a flexible member in the form of a loop with Grip mechanism comprising a bar and itsy ends operatively engagingsaid bar aty Y f different points, the part of said member at whichthe lattery connectsat one end `with said bar being automaticallybodily shiftable .i i i relative to said bar in the act of shifting said object, said apertured extremityengagng bar relative tothe object to be gripped, after application of said llexible member to said Withsaid flexible` member between the lends `ofthe latter and upon Which it moves when said bar is operated. i

l 17. Grip mechanism comprising a bar containing an apertnred extremity, and a exible member provided at lone end-With a section which extends loosely into said aperture and forms a shifting `connection between sad member and bar, and operatively connected at its opposite end with said bar, said apertured extremity engaging With said flexible member vbetween ,the ends of the latter and` upon which it moves when said bar is Operated.

l 18. Grip mechanism comprising abar and `a flexible member in the form of a loop operatively engaging said bar at ,di'erent points, said bar in the operation of the device rolling against one end of-saidmember lengthwise, and between the ends of, the i latter, the part of said member at which the latter connects at its other end With said bar being `automatically shiftable in the act 

